童 tóng boy servant

Made up of [立 lì stand; rise radical 117, 里 lǐ inside; chinese mile; village radical 166]
Made with 12 strokes.

Originally a picture of a needle going through a slave's eye to blind them - and force servitude. Later form has ideas of 'standing' and 'inside' giving concept of a boy awaiting orders in a house

Related characters


Also uses 立 lì component: 拉 lā (to pull) 亲 qīn (parent) ; 位 wèi (position) ; 音 yīn (sound) ; 站 zhàn (station)
Also uses 里 lǐ component: 理 lǐ (texture)

Sounds same

同 tóng (same)

Different tone

通 tōng (open)

< Previous 同 tóng Next 头 tóu >

Proverbs

返老还童 fǎn lǎo huán tóng Returning to youthful energy. Turning back the years. Often used as a compliment to someone sprightly in old age.